Hawker Hurricane IIc

When the prototype first flew in 1935, the Hurricane was the future of fighter aircraft, and by the time of the Battle of Britain five years later it formed the backbone of RAF Fighter Command.

Although outdone in the glamour stakes by the Supermarine Spitfire, there were twice as many Hurricanes engaged in the fight with the Luftwaffe over the skies of southern Britain. And even though the aircraft was increasingly outclassed by German fighters it remained in production until 1944.

Its role as a fighter all but over by 1942, Hurricanes were re-invented as ground attack aircraft and used increasingly in campaigns away from from Western Europe, especially in North Africa and the Far East. Some were sent to Russia for the use of the Soviet air force.

They were also a familiar site in the skies over Shropshire during World War II, as several were used by the bomber training bases in the county. The Hurricanes were used to make mock attacks on the bombers as practice for their gunners.

More than 14,000 Hurricanes were built, and the Cosford Hurricane used to be the gate guardian at RAF Biggin Hill before being restored for the museum by the Rochester-based Medway Aircraft Preservation Society in 1995.